Advisor on Foreign Affairs defends Pakistan’s policy on Syria and Yemen war

Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has made it clear at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain that Pakistan could not participate in Yemen war due to its sectarian aspects because Shia Muslims are 20% of Pakistani population.

Speaking at the Manama Dialogue, a regional security summit, he said that Pakistan could not afford expanding of Saudi tension with Iran into Sunni-Shia tension in Pakistan. Hence, he clarified, Pakistan had adopted a balanced policy regarding its relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia. Sartaj said that Pakistan enjoys good relations with GCC countries but Iran is Pakistan’s brotherly neighbouring country and both countries have commercial relations as well. He stressed on the need for negotiation to improve the relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. He said that United Nations had not endorsed Yemen war hence it was not a good war because it lacks international legitimacy and also has a sectarian aspect that dominated the entire issue. He said Pakistan was ready to enhance defence relations including military training for GCC countries but we would not involve our armed forces in Syria or Yemen war.